Horizon Get's Frontier Express

[othello]

Horizon Air Partners with Frontier Airlines for Frontier JetExpress Regional Jet Service
9/18/2003 8:08 a.m.


Horizon Air announced today it has signed a 12-year agreement with Denver-based Frontier Airlines to operate regional jet service as Frontier JetExpress, effective Jan. 1, 2004.

Under the 12-year agreement, Horizon will initially operate four 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft as Frontier JetExpress beginning Jan. 1, 2004, and will eventually operate nine CRJ-700s as Frontier JetExpress by May 30, 2004. Horizon will employ a combination of new aircraft deliveries and an optimization of their current flight schedules to provide the aircraft for the new service.

Horizon replaces Frontier's current regional jet operator, Mesa Airlines, whose agreement with Frontier expires Dec. 31, 2003. The Frontier JetExpress routes currently operated from Denver by Mesa include Albuquerque, Austin, Boise, Oklahoma City, Ontario, San Jose, Tucson, and Wichita. The routes and schedules of Horizon's Frontier JetExpress flights have not been finalized.

"We're excited to be entering this new line of business and pleased to be working with a quality partner like Frontier," said Jeff Pinneo, Horizon Air president and CEO. "Horizon is committed to providing our new customers at Frontier the same high level of reliability and service that our customers in the Northwest have come to expect from Horizon."

Under the agreement, Frontier will pay Horizon a base margin and performance-based incentives to operate flights as Frontier JetExpress. Frontier will maintain control of scheduling and destinations. Horizon's crews -- pilots and flight attendants -- will fly the aircraft, which will be painted in Frontier JetExpress livery, and Horizon's mechanics will provide maintenance on them. Horizon expects to eventually base about 100 pilots, 100 flight attendants and 30 maintenance personnel in Denver for their Frontier JetExpress operation. Frontier employees will perform airport customer service operations and take reservations for the Horizon Frontier JetExpress flights.

"Our regional jet service has provided extra depth to our business strategy, and we are excited at the opportunity to partner with a top quality airline like Horizon Air," said Frontier president and CEO Jeff Potter. "Horizon's commitment to customer service matches our philosophy, and we look forward to a successful partnership that will allow us to bring Frontier's affordable fares to more communities."

Founded 22 years ago, Horizon Air has grown to become the nation's eighth largest regional airline, serving nearly 5 million passengers last year. Horizon serves 43 cities throughout Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Arizona, British Columbia and Alberta. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK).

Currently in its tenth year of operations, Denver-based Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT) is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport with a fleet of 38 aircraft. Frontier and its affiliate Frontier JetExpress currently serve 40 U.S. cities with 200 daily flights.

 

[Skull-One]

Good for them. Seems a logical fit for both parties.

 

[crashpad]

Truely the best of all outcomes. It will be great for the customers to finally have an airline where they can expect and recieve the best service consistently at all levels.

The Colorado mountain towns are demanding competitive service, and with the recent actions by state politicians to end UALs' monopoly, it looks like they are going to get it.

 

[General Lee]

I have read that new hires at Horizon are getting FO on the CR7 in DEN, and current Dash-8 FOs aren't being allowed to bid those spots. Is that true?

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Southbound]

General Lee...

The news is too hot off the press to say anything about bidding. The latest class of newhires are all rumored to be headed to DEN.
As far as Dash8 FO's being to bid it. When a new base is opened, I believe our contract allows for all the pilots currently qualified on (in the case of DEN, the CRJ7) to bid first. Other pilots from the -400 and -200 can also bid CRJFO in PDX, DEN or any CRJ base if there are vacancies. However, as per contract any FO bidding another FO seat in different equiptment will be pay frozen at the lowest pay rate (DHC8-200) for 2 years. FO's at Horizon are paid by the seniority of the seat they could hold, not the seat they fly in. For example, say we have 300 FO's total. 100 DH8200, 100 DH8400 and 100 CRJ700. The most senior 100 fo's, regardless of which acft they fly are paid at CRJ700 FO rates, the next 100 FO's in the seniority line are paid at DH8400 rates and the bottom 100 FO's are paid DHC8200 rates. So the only way to make pay in the next larger airplane is to gain some seniority as it makes no differenct which you actually come to work and fly. Make sense? This, as I'm sure you can figure out, allows the company to place newhires in any craft they see a need and prevents lots of movement amongst FO seats. If you are a senior DH8200 FO in PDX or SEA you already make jet FO pay there is no incentive to bid back to the jet, just to fly a jet. If I were in the Dash I would hate this little contractual snafu.
Salud

 

[Webb]

So does this mean that QX will be hiring? Is there some hope for a west coast guy flying out here is the east.

 

[F9 Driver]

Can't wait...

'till January 1!!

Welcome back to A

 

[Q200_FO]

Finally.....

Hopefully this will be the start of some major expanding. Something that has been long overdue at this company. And it will REALLY suck if it ends up that we dash drivers can't bid those spots!

 

[lazy8s]

Congrats Horizon drivers, you'll be flying F9 by the end of the year right??

 

[qxpilot]

Latest today was that we are moving 8 of our current jet fleet to Denver. So actually we aren't growing, just moving aircraft and crew. The aircraft that are on order still are up in the air. Very frustrating to hear this. Curious to what cities we will be pulling out of or reducing the frequency to. It kind of bursts the bubble on this whole issue. Funny that isn't in the any of the propaganda.
As far as senior Dash 8 FO's bidding for the jet, it's a pretty sore subject. New hires better appreciate what they have. It's frustrating to see new hire flight instructors come off the street and into the jet and get easy trips to fly. Then they complain because they don't make jet pay. I've been here 4+ years in the right seat of the Dash and bid in the top 5 and have to fly 4 day trips with 20+ legs. Seniority doesn't mean much at this company.

 

[Q200_FO]

I heard...

I heard that Bombardier was going to make us take those jets (the 6 for next year not the two coming in November) no matter what. If that's true then they should be pretty relieved right now becasue 2 days ago, they had no idea what they were going to do with 6 extra aircraft. And I agree, it will be very interesting to see what cities we do pull out of. Wait and see....

 

[maddogdrvr6294]

Back to Webb's question....does anyone know if Horizon will be/is hiring?

 

[crashpad]

In a word "YES". The forward thinking projections for all three companies (ALK, FRNT & Horizon) are gearing up for controlled, but aggressive expansion throughout the west to the Mississippi.
While a merger between ALK & FRNT remains fodor for rumor-mongors, a codeshare is the next step in a logical progression of growth. Read the CEO's press release from Horizon and F9, the common theme is "business models" and "good fit".
Even if the two remained seperate, their growth plans will ensure the rapid expansion of Horizon in many directions.
IMHO, Horizon will expand it's workforce by 8-10% in 6 months,
15-20% in 12 months. In the 80's, Horizon was the best commuter to work for. By the end of 2006, it will be again.

 

[Southbound]

Yes, QX will have to hire.. There is a class starting next week and sporadic interviews are happening. Crashpad's growth estimates may be a bit on the high side. CP office says we are staffed for our next 2 deliveries the end of '03. In '04 the orders call for 6 jets throughout the year which would only warrant hiring around 30 or so new FO's unless the powers that be decide to accelerate a few scheduled '05 RJ deliveries. These RJ's have been on the books since Bombardier decided to make the RJ700 and QX decided to be the launch customer several years ago. The airplanes are not a new idea since the F9 deal, they were coming all along at the present pace, just glad they found something for the new jets to do.

 

[maddogdrvr6294]

Does anyone know who to address the letters to, the address to send in an application or the fax #?

 

[qxpilot]

Unless you want to be a FO for over 4 years, I would consider going elsewhere. Upgrade right now is going to be close to 5 years. To think that Horizon is "set for aggressive growth" is ridiculous. When has the Air Group ever proved that one correct? I don't consider realigning 8 aircraft to Denver from Portland growth. You have to understand, Horizon is a very senior Regional Airline and guys have been here a long time. When they see a little carrot dangling in front of them they get all excited. This is managements way of keeping the troops motivated. The VP of operations came into the crew room and pretty much said that those other aircraft on order aren't for sure yet. Just consider all your options.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Sounds great guys!

J, maybe you'll be over in DEN sometime in the near future? Sure would be nice!!

 

[Thrust Master]

I'm glad MESA lost another contract,
Good luck guys, you'll do fine.
No one can exceed what MESA has done except
United United United

You have to love J.O. for his intent on screwing another
another company out of $$$. I guess the heavy Mgt. @
UAL has still not seen the light.

And they won't... There all EVIL, it's me,me,me,me,me.


Good luck Horizon...

The Snake is back